A possible solution to Uxbridge truck problems

Recommendations to go to Regional council Nov. 21

Uxbridge politicians battle truck traffic

Celia Klemenz / Metroland

UXBRIDGE -- Uxbridge council has raised concerns regarding a potentially large increase of heavy commercial truck traffic on Brock Street through downtown Uxbridge due to the expansion of the Greenbank airport.

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With airport expansion plans taking off in neighbouring Scugog, designated routes to and from the Greenbank Airport call for trucks hauling fill to bypass Uxbridge's downtown core.

But with concerns over how the rules would be policed, Mayor Gerri Lynn O'Connor attended a regional meeting in September to request signs be posted, and enforcement be done by the Region of Durham in cooperation with the Ministry of Transportation.

But after a report by the Region stated that enforcement of the bylaw would be up to the municipal bylaw officers with the assistance of Durham Regional Police Services, Mayor O'Connor and Regional Councillor Jack Ballinger refused to take no for an answer.

The same report was sent back to Regional staff to look at further resolutions and as a result, the Region of Durham works committee will be sending a full report to Regional Council with some further recommendations.

"This is really positive," said Coun. Ballinger. "We got the support from everyone at public works and I really do believe we will get full support from everyone on Regional council."

According to Coun. Ballinger, the new report will go to Regional council on Wednesday Nov. 21 and the results will then be discussed at a council meeting in Uxbridge.

The new report recommends that seasonal weight restrictions be lifted from the current bypass route.

The current truck bypass from Goodwood across regional roads 21 to 23 is 18 kilometres in distance. On the truck bypass route, six kilometres of the road is limited to half-load weight restrictions for certain parts of the year while the downtown core route is capable of taking full-loads all year long, which results in heavier truck traffic downtown.

According to the report, staff will continue with ongoing monitoring of the roadway each spring to the sections that are currently subject to weight restrictions and will initiate repairs and upgrades when and where they are required.

The Durham works department will also launch a promotional campaign. According to Coun. Ballinger, brochures and letters will be distributed to trucking companies, notifying them of the changes to the current truck bypass, encouraging them to stay out of the downtown core.

"We will let them know, we do not want you downtown," said Coun. Ballinger.

The works department will also request Durham Regional Police Services and the Ministry of Transportation provide enhanced commercial motor vehicle enforcement on the downtown route. Coun. Ballinger noted that weigh scales will be used and regular safety checks will be done.

"So what should happen is trucks are going to say, "it's not worth going through downtown Uxbridge because they're doing safety checks and blitzes all the time," he said. "This is pretty much all we can do, it is a regional road and the regional policy is that they have to move traffic."

According to Uxbridge BIA facilitator Sari Pandopulos, the businesses on Brock Street are frustrated and experiencing a negative impact from the heavy traffic flowing through downtown.

And while Ms. Pandopulos does not believe the trucks are to blame for vacant storefronts in Uxbridge, downtown business owners are frustrated with the loud noise, dust and danger the trucks create, she said.

"If anything we want to improve business within our boundary area," she said. "We have to be really involved and voice our opinion on behalf of our 250 (BIA) members."